AMERICADE

Americade bills itself as the largest motorcycle touring rally in the world. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 motorcyclists attend this event, which is held in the beautiful resort community of Lake George, New York in early June.

This large event is held over six days and is popular with owners of many different brands of tourers, cruisers, and sport-tourers. The Americade, or ‘Cade, began in May 1983, with events being held at the Roaring Brook Ranch and the Glen Falls Civic Center. It was originally called Aspencade East, after a touring motorcycle rally that was held in Ruidoso, New Mexico. This rally, which drew a respectable 2,000 bikers its first year, changed its name to Americade in 1986.

Americade has a reputation for being a rally for motorcycle enthusiasts who love their bikes and enjoy socializing in a mature way with other like-minded riders. It is not a rally for bikers into loud mufflers, loud music, or loud partying. It is considered by many to be family friendly. It is also a rally that is attended by groups such as the Blue Knights (Police) or the Red Knights (Firemen), as well as members of various religious motorcycle associations. For this reason, the Lake George community and the rally have enjoyed a good relationship over the years, and the organizers are always working hard to ensure that this partnership will continue into the future.

Motorcyclists at Americade will find numerous scenic rides near Lake George, which lies at the foothills of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park and its rugged mountains. The rally offers both guided and unguided tours of the area. Some of the rides offered in the past have included a tour of covered bridges in the area, as well as another that meandered past seven pretty Adirondack lakes.

In addition, riders can enjoy a variety of events and fun things to do at Americade. Past events offered have included poker runs, boat cruises on the lake, stunt shows, contests, fireworks, and a comedy show. Americade also features many demos, vendor exhibits, and seminars.

To attend Americade’s many activities, a motorcyclist must purchase an admission wristband. There are several different options for the wristbands, including a la carte, full-week, and one-day passes. These can be purchased ahead of time on Americade’s website or at the event.

The website also makes finding lodging in the Lake George area easy, as it has a very comprehensive list of hotels and bed and breakfasts that welcome riders to the rally. The list includes the distance of each property to the rally headquarters – which is located in Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center -- room prices, as well as any special deals for Americade participants.

For riders who enjoy communing with nature and/or more rustic accommodations, the Lake George area has plenty of RV parks and campgrounds that welcome rally attendees, as well. These are also listed on Americade’s website.

Additionally, Americade’s website also hosts a forum where you can ask questions of past participants about this rally. The website can be found at: http://www.americade.com/